With racing at the 2015 Rio Test Event just over a week away, Guanabara Bay in Rio is coming alive with Olympic class action as the worlds best sailors prepare for one of this years pinnacle events.
Today marks one year until the opening of the 2016 Olympic Games and significantly, seven NZL Sailing Team crews are in Rio, in the final countdown to a dress rehearsal regatta.
The 2015 Rio Test Event is as close as it gets to the real thing, mimicking the format and fleet quotas prescribed for the Olympic Games. One year out it provides the opportunity to put team planning and preparation to the test, and for sailors and coaches to learn even more about the venue and how theyre tracking compared to their competitors.
Jo Aleh, helm of New Zealands Womens 470 entry, is already familiar with the venue. Rio really is a rather amazing place and it's great to be back. Its such an interesting place to sail, with a variety of conditions and a truly incredible skyline! It's also rather warm, which is a big bonus for sailing!
Aleh and Powrie start racing on Sunday 16th August, and Aleh outlines whats happening in Rio this week; We have a warm up regatta over four days as a chance to line up against most of the top teams and just sort of check in. We will try out a few things, and make sure the boat is all working as it should,
We want to make sure we are feeling good in the boat, and then have a bit of a break to freshen up before the actual Rio Test Event.
Talking about the atmosphere in Rio, Aleh says, It's getting busier and busier out on the water, there are new boats and teams out every day Its rather exciting!
At the moment everyone is just training, working on their boats and getting time on the water. But next week when we all start moving to the Marina da Gloria - the Olympic Harbour - things will start to ratchet up a little.
The NZL Sailing Team for 2015 Rio Test Event
Andy Maloney Laser (Mens single-handed dinghy) Peter Burling and Blair Tuke - 49er (Mens skiff) Alexandra Maloney and Molly Meech - 49erFX (Womens skiff) Jo Aleh and Polly Powrie - Womens 470 (Womens double-handed dinghy) Paul Snow-Hansen and Daniel Willcox - Mens 470 (Mens double-handed dinghy) Gemma Jones and Jason Saunders - Nacra 17 (Mixed multihull) Josh Junior - Finn (Mens heavy-weight dinghy)
Coaching Team
Jez Fanstone Team Manager and Nacra 17 Coach Mark Howard Laser Coach Nathan Handley Womens 470 Coach Pete Evans Mens 470 Coach Hamish Willcox 49er Coach Jim Maloney 49erFX Coach John Cutler Finn Coach Caroline Brisebois Operations Manager
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